1941 World Series recap

Back in the World Series after their unexpected absence in 1940, the Yankees were led by Joe DiMaggio, who hit in 56 straight games during the regular season. The Dodgers, meanwhile, reached postseason play for the first time since 1920.The Series opened in Yankee Stadium, and the Bronx Bombers grabbed a 3-2 victory behind Red Ruffing's complete-game pitching and second baseman Joe Gordon's solo homer and RBI single.

Game 2 was Brooklyn's turn, with the "Bums" taking a 3-2 decision of their own behind Whitlow Wyatt's complete game.

After a day off, the Series shifted to Broolyn's Ebbets Field, but the one-run escapades continued. Game 3 was scoreless until the eighth, when DiMaggio and Charlie Keller each drove RBI singles to center field. The Dodgers scored once in the bottom of the inning, but that's all they could manage against Yankees starter Marius Russo, who went the distance for the 2-1 decision.

Game 4 is the one that people still remember. Thanks to Pete Reiser's two-run homer and pinch-hitter Jimmy Wasdell's two-run double, the Dodgers clung to a 4-3 lead after eight innings. After relief pitcher Hugh Casey retired the first two Yankees in the ninth, the Dodgers were just one out away from evening the Series at two games apiece. Casey then struck out Tommy Henrich ... but the ball got by catcher Mickey Owen (who was charged with a passed ball), and Henrich scampered to first base. That opened the floodgates, as Charlie Keller and Joe Gordon eventually rapped two-run doubles, propelling the Yankees to an improbable 7-4 victory.

So close to defeat in Game 4, the Bronx Bombers closed out the Series in Game 5. In the second inning, the Yankees scored twice on a wild pitch and Joe Gordon's RBI single, and that was all starter Ernie Bonham would need. Bonham went all the way, allowing just four hits on his way to a 3-1, Series-clinching win.

Managers: Joe McCarthy, NYY; Leo Durocher, BRO